Enacted in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act makes it illegal to discriminate against people with disabilities. As part of the ADA, guidelines were established to ensure equal access to public facilities and services to people with disabilities. The ADA sets out design and engineering standards to make public restrooms and other facilities accessible to disabled people.

Guidelines

The ADA Accessibility Guidelines set accessibility standards for restrooms in public facilities such as hotels, theaters, schools and recreation centers. The United States Access Board creates the guidelines, which set out specific requirements for elements such as door width, handrail height and toilet design. Public facilities are required to comply with these guidelines. Some states, including Texas and Massachusetts, offer their own accessibility guidelines, in addition to the ADA guidelines.

Wheelchair Access

Restrooms, or handicapped toilet stalls, must have a clear floor space measuring at least 30 inches by 48 inches. In addition, restrooms must have enough room to allow a wheelchair to make a 180-degree turn. This may be accomplished by leaving a clear floor space of 60 inches in diameter, or by creating a T-shaped space 36 inches wide, to allow the wheelchair to make a three-point turn. Up to 19 inches of the clear floor space may be located under sinks or other fixtures. Horizontal grab bars should be mounted on the wall nearest to the toilet, as well as behind the toilet.

Sinks and Counters

Sinks and countertops should be no more than 34 inches high and should have enough clear space underneath to allow for knee clearance. Any plumbing under the sink or counter top must be insulated or otherwise protected. Faucets for sinks, flush mechanisms for toilets and any other valves or knobs in the restroom must be operable with one hand. Faucets and controls that need to be turned or twisted must be usable with a force of 5 lbs. of pressure or less.

Stalls and Urinals

In restrooms with toilet stalls, a stall 36 inches wide, with grab bars on both sides of the toilet, is acceptable if there is not enough space for a larger handicapped stall. Toilet seats must be no more than 19 inches above the floor, and the flush mechanism must be placed no higher than 44 inches above the floor. In restrooms that have urinals, at least one urinal must be designed for use from a wheelchair. These urinals have elongated bowls with rims no more than 17 inches from the floor. Some states, such as California and Texas, also require handicapped urinals to have a lip that extends at least 14 inches from the wall. There must be a clear floor space in front of the urinal at least 30 inches wide and 48 inches deep.

About the Author

Since graduating with a degree in biology, Lisa Magloff has worked in many countries. Accordingly, she specializes in writing about science and travel and has written for publications as diverse as the "Snowmass Sun" and "Caterer Middle East." With numerous published books and newspaper and magazine articles to her credit, Magloff has an eclectic knowledge of everything from cooking to nuclear reactor maintenance.